Preview: Brownstown, Salem again appear to be tops in the Mid-Southern Conference

Nearly every league team returns a solid nucleus of starters from 2005,
which should equate to one of the most competitive Mid-Southern Conference
races in recent times. Despite sharing last year���?�s title with Salem,
Brownstown remains the preseason favorite, but a very strong offensive line for
the Lions will again make Salem
a tough team to beat.

North Harrison could
also be a serious contender with improved game discipline and the reduction of
penalties and turnovers.

Brownstown: Despite finishing 8-4 and advancing to the
Sectional 31 championship game, 2005 was a somewhat disappointing season for
the Braves. Aside from losing their first conference game since 1998 ���?� at home
against Salem in
September ���?� Brownstown also had to share the Mid-Southern title with the Lions.
The loss of some size and experience along the line of scrimmage this year
should be negated by a strong nucleus of returning starters. The Class 2A
Braves are ranked No. 3 in the Indiana Football Digest/The Gridiron Digest
preseason poll.

Salem: The co-conference champions
allowed a league-low 62 points against league opponents in ���?05 and compiled a
five-game winning streak before dropping a 19-18 first-round sectional matchup
against Edgewood. The Lions will search for
new leadership under center this year but should continue to challenge for the
conference crown with most starters returning.

North Harrison: The Cougars posted only the third winning
record in school football history last season (7-5) and could potentially
challenge for a Mid-Southern Conference crown in 2006 thanks to three key
variables: All but three starters return from last season, league games against
two of the Cougars���?� top conference challengers (Salem and Clarksville) will be played at North Harrison, and
junior running back Bryan Schroeder, the state���?�s leading rusher from a year
ago, returns for his junior campaign. The Cougars were the conference���?�s top
offensive team one year ago (148 points in conference games, 353 points overall)
but also surrendered the second-highest number of points on defense.

Clarksville: With a strong group of
returning players, the Generals hope to contend for a conference championship
following two consecutive third-place finishes. Two early season home games
against co-defending champions Brownstown and Salem
could work in Clarksville���?�s
favor. Last season���?�s 7-4 mark was the school���?�s best since a 10-4 campaign in
1997.

Corydon: An
underclassmen-dominant Panthers team suffered through its worst season last
year since going winless in 2000. Corydon, which had more than its share of
injuries, managed only 94 points on offense and surrendered a league-high 184
points on defense against Mid-Southern opponents in ���?05 while posting a 1-9
overall record. Prior to last season, the school boasted three consecutive
years of eight wins or more. The Panthers are still young, but another year of
experience and the hopeful reduction of injuries should help the team improve
in 2006.

Charlestown: Since finishing second in the
Mid-Southern in 2001, Charlestown
has amassed a disappointing 5-35 record. Despite an impressive one-point loss
to eventual co-conference champion Salem
in 2005, the Pirates scored a league-low 67 points against conference opponents
one year ago. Defensively, however, Charlestown
was second best.

QB Josh
Windell, Salem

RB Bryan
Schroeder, North Harrison

RB Ryan
Masters, Clarksville

RB Levi
Shiner, Brownstown

OL/DL Josh
Newton, Corydon

LB Isaac
Davis, North Harrison

Salem���?�s offensive line

Sept. 1: Brownstown at Clarksville

Sept. 8: Salem at Clarksville

Sept. 15: Brownstown at Salem

Sept. 22: North Harrison
at Brownstown

Sept. 29: Clarksville
at North Harrison

Oct. 13: Salem at North Harrison

���?Even though Brownstown and Salem
shared the championship last year, Brownstown has to be the favorite again
until somebody completely knocks them off. Most teams would probably say we���?�re
going to be tough to beat this season, but every team in the conference is
tough to beat. You just can���?�t really
predict this conference. â�?� â�?��?? North Harrison coach
Jason Mullis

���?I think the conference could be a dog fight this year. Every game is
going to be physical. I donâ�?��?�t think thereâ�?��?�s one clear-cut favorite.â�?� â�?��?? Corydon
coach Jason Timberlake

A look back at the last five
years of Mid-Southern Conference play:

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